Steens Mountain Cooperative Management & Protection Area

Overview:

The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) is approximately 500,000 acres of private and public land offering diverse scenic and recreation experiences. The CMPA encompasses deep glacier-carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, and a way of life for all who live there. The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides access to four campgrounds, numerous trails, the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District, wild horse roaming areas, and opportunities for fishing and hunting. The views from Kiger Gorge, East Rim, Big Indian Gorge, Wildhorse, and Little Blitzen Gorge overlooks are not to miss!

Know Before You Go:

  • There are long distances between services and amenities, such as fuel, drinking water, restrooms and cell phone reception.
  • Most roads in the area are rough and primitive, high clearance or 4x4 vehicles along with high quality tires are recommended.
  • The remote nature and vast landscape of the area may leave even the most experienced traveler confused or lost. Traveling with a current map of the area is essential.

Point of Interest:

The Steens Mountain CMPA is a mixture of public and private lands and specially designated areas where particular regulations may apply. Obey road closure signs and stay on designated open routes (which are those shown on current BLM maps) driving off road is prohibited. Respect land owners and always get permission to go onto private property.

Steens Mountain Cooperative Management & Protection Area Brochure

Photos

Wildhorse Lake
Wildhorse Lake
Paintbrush
Paintbrush
Rim view
Rim view
Chipmonk
Chipmonk
Summit Thistle
Summit Thistle
Big Indian summit
Big Indian summit
South Loop Rim
South Loop Rim
Wildhorse Lake
Wildhorse Lake
Paintbrush
Paintbrush
Rim view
Rim view
Chipmonk
Chipmonk
Summit Thistle
Summit Thistle
Big Indian summit
Big Indian summit
South Loop Rim
South Loop Rim
Wildhorse Lake
Wildhorse Lake
Paintbrush
Paintbrush
Rim view
Rim view
Chipmonk
Chipmonk
Summit Thistle
Summit Thistle
Big Indian summit
Big Indian summit
South Loop Rim
South Loop Rim
Wildhorse Lake
Wildhorse Lake
Paintbrush
Paintbrush
Rim view
Rim view
Chipmonk
Chipmonk
Summit Thistle
Summit Thistle
Big Indian summit
Big Indian summit
South Loop Rim
South Loop Rim
Wildhorse Lake
Wildhorse Lake
Paintbrush
Paintbrush
Rim view
Rim view
Chipmonk
Chipmonk
Summit Thistle
Summit Thistle
Big Indian summit
Big Indian summit
South Loop Rim
South Loop Rim
Wildhorse Lake
Wildhorse Lake
Paintbrush
Paintbrush
Rim view
Rim view
Chipmonk
Chipmonk
Summit Thistle
Summit Thistle
Big Indian summit
Big Indian summit
South Loop Rim
South Loop Rim
Wildhorse Lake
Wildhorse Lake
Paintbrush
Paintbrush
Rim view
Rim view
Chipmonk
Chipmonk
Summit Thistle
Summit Thistle
Big Indian summit
Big Indian summit
South Loop Rim
South Loop Rim

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area [and its facilities] may present challenges to accessibility due to uneven terrain. Some developed campgrounds, particularly Page Springs Campground, have level parking and campsites as well as accessible vault toilets.

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Phone

Activities

Iconograph of a telescope and stars.
STARGAZING
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CLIMBING
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HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE
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CAMPING
Iconograph of a fish head and a fishing hook on a line
FISHING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a person on horseback
HORSEBACK RIDING
Iconograph of a person looking through a scope on a rifle
HUNTING
The letters OHV
OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE
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PICNICKING
Iconograph of a snowflake
WINTER SPORTS
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RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
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WILDLIFE VIEWING
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WILDERNESS
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Iconograph of a person paddling a kayak.
PADDLING
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NON-MOTORIZED BOATING
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ACCESSIBLE FACILITY OR ACTIVITY
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MOUNTAIN BIKING
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BACKPACKING

Addresses

Burns District Office
28910 Hwy 20 West
Hines
Oregon
97738

Geographic Coordinates

43.09296, -118.77731

Directions

From Burns, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen. Just past Frenchglen, turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road.

Fees

Most activities on and around Steens Mountain are free of charge. Developed campgrounds charge a nightly fee for use of these facilities.

Stay Limit

14 days